An elderly woman greets us with a warm smile as we arrive at her home. She quickly sets up chairs on her small verandah, offering us a place to sit away from the scorching sun. A young boy, eager to buy an ice block sold in the homestead, wanders in. The elderly lady assists him before returning outside with her granddaughter in her arms.
Her granddaughter's name is Yenzokuhle, which loosely translates to 'The Lord has done good" in Nguni. She is a bright-eyed six-year-old girl born with cerebral palsy, blindness, and a clubfoot. Abandoned by her mother due to her disability, Yenzokuhle has faced numerous challenges, especially being from an impoverished background. Despite her condition, she has a beautiful smile and deep, dark brown eyes that radiate warmth. She depends on her paternal grandmother for everyday care as she is immobile. Although she has a wheelchair, it is old, and not foldable, and also hard to use on the rugged dusty roads of Lomahasha where they live.
Her grandmother, who earns a living as a hawker, often has to leave Yenzokuhle alone to run errands and restock on goods, a heart-wrenching choice given her role as the sole caretaker. There is also stigma surrounding Yenzokuhle's condition, which has led to isolation from neighbors who fear her presence. Sadly, Yenzokuhle's story is not unique. In rural communities in the Lubombo, many children with disabilities or special needs live in poverty, which imposes significant financial and emotional burdens on their families. Many caregivers are unemployed or lack steady income, struggling to provide for their children's basic needs, let alone specialized care.
Yenzokuhle is now one of our newest members of the Singumndeni family. The Singumndeni program seeks to alleviate the burdens faced by caretakers of special needs children by providing comprehensive support to these families. Our services include:
Free healthcare: Access to essential medical care tailored to the needs of children with disabilities.
Physiotherapy: Regular therapy sessions to enhance mobility and improve quality of life.
Food parcels:Â Distribution of food aid to ensure nutritional well-being.
Economic empowerment and skills development: Training and support for caregivers to help them secure sustainable livelihoods.
Through these services, we strive to empower families and create a brighter future for children with disabilities in rural communities. We welcome your support to sustain the Singumndeni program and ensure that more children like Yenzokuhle receive the care and opportunities they deserve. You can donate towards Singumndeni as part of our efforts to bring hope and life to those who are marginalised and live in poverty.
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